Who has the right to vote in federal elections?

The right to vote in federal elections in the United States is granted specifically to citizens. This means that only individuals who have acquired U.S. citizenship, either by birth or through the naturalization process, are eligible to vote. This distinction is fundamental to the democratic process, as it ensures that those who participate in elections have a legal and formal association with the country, allowing them to have a say in its governance.

In contrast, residents of the United States who are not citizens, such as non-citizens with work visas, do not have voting rights in these elections. Additionally, the requirement that voters must be at least 18 years old applies only to U.S. citizens and does not extend to people outside the country or to those who are not citizens. Thus, the answer centers on the fact that citizenship is the key requirement for federal voting rights.